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I think I remember reading somewhere that the PT Cruiser was an all new chasis also. And supposedly the PT Cruiser is more than a foot shorter than the Neon.
I know this because my parents are going bonkers over it. I did however talk them into waiting to see if the GT Cruiser comes out in a year. Dealers marking the price of the car up 3 grand kinda helped also. Too much money for such an under powered automobile.
Dom

The PT is based on the Neon, but there's really very little of it left, from what I understand. The rear suspension is completely different, a twist beam solid axle IIRC (independent struts took up too much space), so as long as the pavement's smooth, it should handle alright.

If I had a family, I'd look at one as an alternative to an SUV or minivan.

I like the looks of the PT Cruiser. Probably more than the looks of my SubUbie. I know that's hard to swallow. I didn't buy the RS for its looks. I bought it because it goes like he** in all sorts of conditions. If I could combine the chasis of my car with the looks of the Cruiser, I'd buy one in a heartbeat. But that's probably because I'm over 30.

Too bad they can't drop that body on one of the truck frames. Then use the V6 (turbo hopefully) or a V8 and leave the thing as a Full Time AWD. That would be cool. Maybe in about 5yrs they will make a serious sports model. Make it more like the Nomad used to be. A RWD V8 wagon that looked cool. I don't think you have to be less then 30 or even 40 to enjoy a fast car. Hell my dad still drag races and he is in his 50s.

Geez, You act like I said being over 30 was a bad thing. I was just noting that of all the people I have talked too, Almost everybody under 30 I have talked to said it was ugly. Most of the OF's (old folks/farts ) I have talked to said it looked "cool". I guess it reminds them of the older cars. My dad who is 46, Thought it looked cool as well as my 31 year old step-mom. My dad drives a Jag and he also think that the Impereza is bad a$$. If the PT had some balls I would like it a little more but it doesn't. I would love to get a turbo when it comes out but the insurance is insane. Sorry, King Dingaling doesn't like to lie. Does that make me weak?
"When I get OLD, I want a 22b!" :razz: It's all about youth and endurance! IMO it does look better than those SUV's and minivans. So quit harrasing the youth of today. we'll be taking care of you in a couple of decades. And your 22b's too!

I just gotta put my $.05 in here. My brother is a Chrysler mechanic and has experience with many different car manufacturers (aside from Chrysler). In his opinion (and mine) they are some of the most problematic cars on the market. Having said that, I dont really like the looks of the Cruiser but I know some do. Great! Its good to like the way your car looks. I do! Setting the looks aside I would not buy one even if all I had was $16K. I have driven them including one with an upgraded suspension and it felt horrible to me (and also extremely underpowered) and I am not comparing it to my $20K RS. Thats just my opinion, I could be wrong.

I don't like it one bit.
What is good about this vehicle? Its not a car, and from what Chrystler says it not a minivan. So what are you left with, a crappy performing car without the space of a minivan. Who cares that its based on the neon, even if it was all new how much money do you think they'd put into designing a 16K dollar car/van chassis. The thing that gets me is that people will buy this thing because it looks like it can go fast. Even if they put a turbo 230hp engine in it, it will only have straightline speed. These things are going to be everywhere. I read they plan to produce 100,000 PT Cruisers this year alone. As for anyone saying they respect Chrystler for building something out of the norm, thats what US companies do, look at all the American Auto Co. product lines. Camaro's, firebirds, mustangs, and most of the sedan's these companies produce all have lines and curves that don't look right. Its hard to describe, but its like they designed the car in separate peices and put them all together. The peices just don't add up. IMO the only thing American auto companies do better than the rest of the world is full size trucks. Thats just because nobody else produces these gigantic vehicles.

The one thing that I see good comming from the PT Cruiser is that it may pull some away from SUV's. I think most SUV owners are driving them because they have a family and don't like the idea of driving a van.

John, I wasn't taking a shot at you. I'm too bad an aim anyways. I think the GT Cruiser looks alot better. I still think they should make it with a different engine and RWD just incase somebody actually wants to tow something with it. It does look like they were trying to make a connection with the old Nomad.

Chrysler invited me to their "Chrysler Proving Grounds." They sat the few "chosen" ones down and explained all their cars, and how they are supperior to everyone elses. Then after that they let us go to the real "proving grounds" or the whole thing. They let us choose 2 cars to drive out of the PT Cruiser, 300M, Sebring Convertible, LHS, and Town & Country. I chose to drive the 300M and the PT Cruiser:

PT Crusier: This car is slow as hell! The course was made up of a circle where you test the turning radius of the car, two straight-aways, and 3 manuvering courses. I asked the lady who was in the car with me from Chrysler why the hell it's so slow, and she told me that it's a Neon with a new body.

300M: Damn! I used the triptronic shifting when I drove this because I wanted a stick-like feel. This car hauls! I got up to 50 in 1st gear out of 4. I scared the lady when I drove the 300M because I took the manuvering couse a bit too fast. I squeeled the tires and almost broke traction for a second. But it held on and so did I.